Publisher's Description
From AOL:
You don't have to be an America Online member to experience the immediate cross-Internet communication made possible by AOL Instant Messenger. This program allows Internet users to communicate via private, personalized text messages, and indicates when friends, family members, and business colleagues are online. AOL Instant Messenger combines AOL's Buddy List and Instant Message features, enabling users to send and respond to messages immediately. Other features include a user directory and buddy chat capabilities, personalized news, and a Neighborhood Watch feature so you can disconnect when crank chatters contact you. You also can send personalized greetings from your Buddy List, forward a copy of your Buddy List to a friend, and add your own comments to an entry on your Buddy List. You can also create and share digital photo albums with your friends.
Note: After downloading AIM, be sure to register a screen name.
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All versions:
2.5 starsout of 469 votes
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Current version:
2.3 starsout of 43 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Bad"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
AOL messanger user cheap popups to make money.
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"Bloated piece of marketing hype not worth the download."
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
I have a generally favorable view of AOL -- like it or not, they had a major hand in bringing the Internet to the masses -- so please don't take this review as AOL bashing. As a client, this one does actually work -- although it has a nasty habit of crashing my machine when left unattended. Still, it sends IM messages and detects presence. What more could you ask for?
Cons
Here's what you could ask for: something that is functional without the bloat. While AOL is getting better at not bundling useless crap, this is still FAR more of a memory pig than it ought to be. Worse, the problem does not go away after you close the IM client.... there's a piece of software running (check your task manager) that does not close. Why? Can you give me one good reason why this pig needs to remain on my machine?
Do yourself a favor. Go get GAIM, Trillian, or if you don't totally hate AOL yet, AIM Pro is very nice. Just stay away from anything in the mainstream. Really. It's THAT bad.
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"hi"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
hi
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"I LOVE IT!!!"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
I Love AIM I use it everyday and it has so many great features on it you can instant message all of your friends family etc.
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"Incredibly prying and annoying active update feature a thumbs down"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
The GUI has greatly improved, this is a good program to look at (if you can manage to look at it and not run it). and It's very dependable
Cons
AOL's New Activeupdate feature (which they convienently don't offer an uninstall, or any options for) annoys the buggers out of you with 1 or 2 updates a day, that are completely unnecessary. But heres the best part: not only can you not uninstall any of the updates or the updater, but the updater NEVER gives you an option to do anything but update. What happened to courtesey? "You will have this update, do you want it now, or later"...I'm uninstalling and getting software I trust.
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"JUNK!"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
does IM's that's it!
Cons
too much junk and spyware that comes with it. AOL puts in a bunch of useless software as they always do. AOL sucks and I won't use this software. This program is invasive and very unsecure. This program is prone to many IM viruses and spyware and most scanners will miss. Get trillian if you still want to talk to people who have AIM.
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"Heading to a dead end."
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
Meh.
Cons
Although i've always liked aim, these newer versions are getting slower and more annoying. Stick with and older version (which is easiest obtained from oldversion.com).
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"Worse than earlier versions"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
For the fact that they are known and used throughout the US. Doesn't overwrite previous versions (thankfully).
Cons
Complicated instal, sometimes does not work. Instals a browser that is not wanted. No option for shortcuts (quickbar, desktop, and programs folders), just auto puts them in there, have to do delete if not wanted. Try's to take over your computer by making it every (i.e. home page, default browser, etc.) default in it's control (if not selected at instal and setup).
Ok, now on to the actual program... it is very complicated to start any transaction with th eperson you are talking to (i.e. Direct Connect, Sending files/photos, anything). Way too many options that are practically useless to the average user. Half of the window that shows your buddies that are online is taken up by either ads or other crap that AOL wants you to do that you dont want.
I have many more complaints about this program. But is all I can say is AOL tries to make things easier by putting in more options that no one cares about and taking out the options to easily let you have control of your computer.. not working.
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"Good IM system"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
Easy to use.
Cons
none
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"install sucks, program is ok"
Version: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) XP/2K 1.0.4
Pros
lots of people have aim
Cons
the download part of the install took a long time on cable, i can't imagine on dialup. plus the installer takes up the whole window and it wont let you minimize it. thats just dumb.
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